In the "Ask Linda" columns I answer questions from readers who are uncertain how to proceed correctly under the Rules of Golf. No names are used – all questioners are referred to as Lulu (or Lou, in the case of male writers), in honor of the smart and sassy comic character.
Please send questions from your personal golf experiences to: llmillergolf@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Ask Linda #1370-Agreement to waive rules

Linda,

Due to a recent drought the greens at our course were
covered in bare patches. There was not a local rule in place giving relief from
bare patches on the greens, just bare patches on closely mown areas. Our
club championship was stroke play played over 72 holes followed by match play.
Two weeks later, during the first round of match play, it was discovered that
for the 72-hole stroke event the winner and his markers had been taking relief
from the bare patches on the greens. By taking relief they had gained an unfair
advantage over the rest of the players, probably at least four to five shots
per round. Because the stroke event had been decided and the match play started,
does the result stand or should the players be disqualified and under what
rules? Should Rule 1-3 apply? The committee decided to let the result stand. To
me it does not seem right that the player can be the winner even if the match
play had started.

Kind regards,

Lou from Brisbane, Australia

Dear Lou,

For purposes of this answer, I am going to assume that the
Local Rule permitted relief from bare patches through the green only,
which would mean there was no relief from bare patches on the putting green.

If both players were aware that they were not
entitled to relief from bare patches on the putting green, and agreed to
take relief anyway, they were in violation of Rule 1-3 [Agreement to Waive
Rules] and should have been disqualified from the competition, even though
match play had already begun [Rule 34-1, Exception (i)].

If the players were not aware that relief from bare
patches on the putting green was not available, there could not have been
agreement to waive a Rule of Golf [Decision 1-3/5]. In this case, there would
be no penalty. A penalty may not be imposed after a competition has closed. When
match play follows stroke play, the stroke play competition is closed as soon
as players tee off in their first match [Rule 34-1b].